Q4 Earnings Show Strong Results: BEL and Bharti Airtel Get a Thumbs Up from Motilal Oswal

The last quarter of the financial year (January to March 2025) has turned out better than many expected for Indian companies. In a recent report, financial firm Motilal Oswal said that many businesses showed healthy profits during this period, even though some others are still struggling. The report highlighted Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bharti Airtel as two of the biggest gainers.

What Happened in Q4FY25?

Every three months, companies announce how much money they made or lost. This helps investors and experts understand how well a company is doing. The period from January to March 2025—also called Q4FY25—was overall positive. According to Motilal Oswal, most large companies performed better than expected.

However, it’s not all smooth sailing. Despite the good results, the number of companies whose future earnings were downgraded (meaning their expected profits were reduced) was still more than those that got upgraded. This shows that while things look good now, many experts are still being cautious about what’s next.

BEL: A Boost from Defense Demand

One of the top companies in the spotlight is BEL (Bharat Electronics Limited). This is a government-owned company that makes defense equipment—like radars and communication systems—for the military. With India increasing its focus on defense and modern technology, BEL is getting more orders and growing fast.

Motilal Oswal upgraded BEL’s future earnings expectations, saying the company has a strong order book and is likely to benefit from India’s push to strengthen its defense sector.

Bharti Airtel: Getting Stronger Financially

Bharti Airtel, one of the biggest telecom companies in India, also received an upgrade. The company has been improving its business by raising mobile call and data prices (tariff hikes) and reducing its debts, especially high-interest loans. That means it’s spending less money on interest and making more profit.

Motilal Oswal believes Airtel’s earnings per share (a key profit metric) will grow by over 16% in FY25. They also expect Airtel’s income and profits to continue rising steadily for the next few years.

Which Sectors Are Doing Well?

While some companies are doing great, others are facing pressure. Sectors like industrials (companies that build or manufacture large equipment) and real estate (builders and property developers) have started to bounce back. On the other hand, the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector—companies that sell everyday items like soaps, biscuits, and shampoos—is seeing slower growth due to rising costs and tight consumer spending.

Motilal Oswal said they remain positive on sectors like public sector banks (PSU banks), consumer goods, industrials, and real estate. These are the areas they think are likely to perform better in the near future.

What This Means for Regular Investors

Even though the last quarter showed strong numbers, experts like Motilal Oswal are still being careful. Many companies are dealing with rising costs, market competition, and global uncertainties. So while big names like BEL and Airtel are doing well, the overall market mood remains watchful.

If you’re an investor, this is a reminder to keep an eye on how companies are performing, rather than just headlines. Strong quarterly results are a good sign, but the real story unfolds over time.